Arachidonic acid (AA) is metabolized in the body through two main metabolic pathways
with the enzymes: cyclooxygenases (COX) and lipoxygenases (LOX). Elevated levels of
prostanoids and leukotrienes, products of the two respective pathways, have been linked
to inflammatory diseases as well as to early stages of carcinogenesis. Finding a dual
inhibitor of COX and LOX is promising in preventing the inflammation and diseases
that are linked to the overproduction of both pathways while minimizing the side effects
associated with inhibition of individual pathways.
The purpose of this research project is to find a dual inhibitor of COX and LOX by
examining plants used traditionally as anti-inflammatory medicines: Tussilago farfara, Grindelia squarrosa, Uritca dioica, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. G. squarrosa has been traditionally used in treatment of catarrhs, associated with the inflammation
of the respiratory tract. T. farfara has been used in traditional Chinese medicines for treatment of asthmatic and bronchial
infections as well as rheumatism. U. dioica has been used for treatment of rheumatism, bleeding, prostate hyperplasia, and urinary
tract infections. Trigonella foenum-graecum has been used to treat gastric inflammation, menstrual pain, and respiratory conditions,
such as bronchitis.
Tests have been performed on crude extracts of these plants for the following: total
phenolics, free radical scavenging activity, LOX inhibition, and COX inhibition. The
results of these bioactivity assays will be presented.
